Welcome to the Cut Shop, a stylish corner of the internet where we help you make good choices about what to spend your money on.
For over a decade, we’ve given advice on the right lip-liner-and-lipstick combos, recommended which new collections are worth it (yes, the Gap x Dapper Dan hoodie is worth it), and explained why finding a wedding dress in a size 20 is so hard. We’ve wiped our beauty routines to try out the latest celebrity beauty drop so that we could recommend the one item you actually should buy (it’s Kim’s night oil). We stood in lines and braved fitting-room mires to check out real-life stores so you didn’t have to leave your couch. We’ve helped you figure out what to wear now that you’re back to the office.
Now we’re doing more of it, and all in one place. Our guiding principle is to be as trustworthy as your “fashion friend” whom you rely on in your group chats — helping you navigate how things fit by trying on the same item on different body types, asking people super-specific questions about their very favorite objects. We test-drive lots of new products to determine which are worth your money and which will just steal it.
(And if you purchase something through our links, we often earn an affiliate commission. But we would never recommend anything we don’t fully stand behind.)
Get to know the team, and come shopping with us.
Bianca Nieves, shopping editor
What’s the last thing you bought? A pair of Asics UB3-S Gel-Nimbus 9’s in the rum-raisin-and-green colorway.
What’s your styling trick? Shop your own closet. If you’re like me, sometimes you forget you hung that one shirt under another shirt because you had no closet space left. It might just pair perfectly with those pants you just got tailored.
High-waisted or low-rise? High-waisted.
Cargo skirt or miniskirt? Cargo skirt, but make it chic. Like this one from Buhee.
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Besides baggy pants, I’m really into crochet pieces. Crochet bags in particular. I used to be a big Sak crochet-bag enthusiast in the early aughts.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? Marshalls or T.J.Maxx.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? TikTok has me hunting down where I can buy a skirt or a pair of trousers from the Mexican brand Tanamachi. It seems they’re currently available only in physical stores in Chicago, L.A., and Mexico City. Anybody want to help a girl out? I can Venmo you.
Describe your style. A constant juxtaposition of interests rooted in comfort.
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
What’s the last thing you bought? E.l.f. Brow Lift and spoolie, NYX lip liners, and the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence from Ulta.
What’s your styling trick? Little shirt, big pants, oversize button-up, even bigger shoes.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? Six for $30 underwear from Aerie. Many years (but not that many years) later, it’s still a good deal.
High-waisted or low-rise? Cargo skirt or miniskirt? As high-waisted as I can go while still being comfortable. Cargo pants — I try, but I’m not a skirt girl.
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Platform shoes, weird sunglasses, any hairstyle that looks like it would’ve been worn by Lizzie McGuire or an early-2000s girl group.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? Target.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? AirPods Max. I wrote all about them here.
Describe your style. Usually all black and minimal.
Asia Milia Ware, beauty writer
What’s the last thing you bought? An oversize pair of Dion Lee trousers.
What’s your styling trick? Wearing a blazer with literally anything.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? M.A.C “Ruby Woo” lipstick, the OG.
High-waisted or low-rise? Cargo skirt or miniskirt? High-waisted always to emphasize my shape. Cargo skirt because I have to pull minis down too much.
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Probably velour sweat suits. I used to live in Juicy Couture sets in high school, so seeing them back is super-nostalgic.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? Neiman Marcus beauty counters.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? Mielle Organics rosemary-mint scalp oil.
Describe your style. Statement-making, but make it chic.
Other contributors:
Danya Issawi, fashion news writer
What’s the last thing you bought? A vintage frilly pastel nightgown-and-robe set.
What’s your styling trick? Wear what you like and what makes you feel most like yourself. Other people’s opinions of your outfit won’t matter as long as you feel good.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? CeraVe nighttime moisturizer.
High-waisted or low-rise? Cargo skirt or miniskirt? I’m very into long cargo skirts right now (although I own zero).
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Baggy jeans! I’ve felt comfort in denim I never thought possible.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? Sephora.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? Beauty blenders from Coco Cosmetics.
Describe your style Someone who wanted to be in with the cool kids during the rococo era (but was at heart a cottagecore softie) who had visited modern-day New York City once. If that makes sense.
Emilia Petrarca, senior fashion writer
What’s the last thing you bought? I’m not a prairie-dress girl, and have managed to avoid the trend for years, but I instantly caved when I saw this white Batsheva dress on Instagram. Sigh. It was worth it. And on sale!
What’s your styling trick? I wear a lot of green, red, and black, because I think those colors look best with my features, and coordinate almost to a fault. I get most of my clothes tailored; that’s helped me better understand my silhouette. And I often wear red lipstick.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? Uniqlo Heattech.
High-waisted or low-rise? Cargo skirt or miniskirt? High-waisted; mini (I’m smol).
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Velour tracksuits, although my Juicy Couture one always sets off the TSA alarms because the zippers are bedazzled.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? The Met gift shop.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? I was almost convinced to buy this Abercrombie dress in black, but I refrained.
Describe your style. The fictional child of Christopher Moltisanti and Adriana La Cerva, if she came into the city and interned at The Row one summer and decided to wear only vintage Prada.
Roberto Johnson, market editor
What’s the last thing you bought? An ankle-length, tailored, black leather jacket from Episode Vintage Paris. The best 100 euros I have ever spent.
What’s your styling trick? Hats. They can dress up an outfit or make it casual. Legit the cherry on top.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? Socks from Uniqlo. No one makes better socks.
High-waisted or low-rise? High-waisted anything! I’m five-foot-four, so they make me feel like I have legs for days.
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Super-baggy jeans. I usually don’t like denim, however, because they’re oversize; they make me feel like I’m wearing trousers.
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? 10ft single by Stella Dallas. As a petite guy, it’s hard to find tailored items to my size, and they always have vintage gems that magically fit perfectly.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? Food! My favorite TikTok account, @5boroughfoodie, posted a video of their signature Five Leaves burger, and I couldn’t resist and tried it last night.
Describe your style. My uniform is wide-leg trousers and a vintage buttoned-up shirt, plus an eight-panel newsboy cap. In my head, I live in a Jack Garofalo shot from the ’70s but more modern, with a hint of my tropical heritage.
Vivian Chuang, fashion assistant
What’s the last thing you bought? A Paco Rabanne chain-mail bag that was on major discount on Ssense. It looks even better in person and feels so luxe. I bought it as a going-out bag, but it’s proven surprisingly versatile for daytime.
What’s your styling trick? I love digging for vintage versions of the designer pieces I covet. With so many brands inspired by vintage form, I can sometimes find vintage substitutes without the designer price tag and that are just as well made.
What is one thing since high school that you keep buying even though you’ve tried other things? The Ordinary skin care. It’s affordable and does the job.
High-waisted or low-rise? Cargo skirt or miniskirt? Both! It comes down to the overall silhouette or proportions for me. Love a good low-rise or high-rise trouser but loyal to my low-rise jeans. Miniskirt!
Favorite Y2K trend that has come back? Low-rise, baggy pants and, consequently, V-cuts!
Favorite store to walk aimlessly around? Front General Store in Brooklyn (their vintage stock and Japanese homeware can take all of my money. They ship!). That or Costco.
The last thing that TikTok made you buy? I’ve held out, but probably not for long …
Describe your style. Gothic meets skateboarder.
